Main Street Anniston Earns First Ever National Accreditation

ANNISTON, AL — The City of Anniston is proud to announce that Main Street Anniston has
officially been designated as a 2025 Accredited Main Street America™ program—the highest level
of recognition awarded by Main Street America. This is the first time in our city’s history that
Main Street Anniston has received this national honor, highlighting our community’s growing
momentum in economic development, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization.
This prestigious designation is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our Main Street Anniston
team, local businesses, community stakeholders, and city leadership, all working in partnership to
build a thriving, vibrant downtown. Accreditation is only awarded to programs that meet rigorous
national standards in alignment with the Main Street Approach™, a proven framework for
community-led revitalization.
“Main Street America is proud to recognize this year’s 821 Accredited Main Street America
programs for their commitment to building strong and vibrant communities,” said Erin Barnes,
President and CEO of Main Street America. “Their tireless efforts show what’s possible when
engaged leaders work together to shape places that reflect the people they serve. The continued
impact of our network shows that the Main Street movement remains a powerful force for positive
transformation.”
Main Street Anniston’s performance was thoroughly evaluated by both local leadership and the
Main Street Alabama coordinating program, which works in close partnership with Main Street
America. To earn accreditation, programs must demonstrate success in six core areas: broad-based
community commitment, inclusive leadership, sustainable operations, strategy-driven
programming, preservation-based economic development, and measurable results.
“This recognition is a major milestone for our team and community. Earning accreditation reflects
countless hours of collaboration, planning, and dedication. Running a Main Street program requires
grit, resilience, and a strong belief in the potential of downtown. This honor belongs to our volunteers,
city partners, local businesses, and staff who work each day to bring that vision to life. We’ve faced
challenges, grown through experience, and stayed committed to building a downtown where people
want to be. As we celebrate this achievement, we stay focused on the future—creating a vibrant,
inclusive, and thriving heart of Anniston,” stated Main Street Anniston Executive Director Karla
Eden.
For more information about Main Street Anniston, please visit: www.mainstreetanniston.com.